Cambodian man builds plane by watching YouTube videos

A Cambodian man who had never been on a plane built his own plane using recycled materials and watching YouTube videos!

It took Paen Long, a 30-year-old car mechanic with a longstanding passion for aviation, 3 years and US$10,000 to complete the 1-seater, based on a World War II plane design.

Paen told Stuff that he was emotional during his first launch in March because he couldn’t bear the things his neighbours were saying when he ‘only’ reached 50 metres. Paen is now working on a seaplane.

Thisstory resonates with me. It’s easy for those who choose to stay on the ground to point and laugh at dreamers in the sky.